The Swift Current Broncos dropped the puck on the 2019 CHL European draft by selecting smooth skating, puck moving defenceman Kasper Puutio. Puutio is listed at 5’11, 172 pounds from Vaasa Finland. In 10 games with the Karpat U18 A Team, Puutio had 4 goals and 12 points. The 2002 born defender also played 31 games with the Karpat U20 team scoring 4 points.
The Broncos continued the trend of selecting Finnish players in the CHL European draft. With the selection of Puutio, the last 4 Bronco Euro draft picks have been of Finnish origin. Swift Current took forward Aleksi Heponiemi in 2016, while adding forward Joona Kiviniemi and d-man Roope Pynnonen in the 2018 draft. Pynnonen was released yesterday to make roster room for Puutio.
“He makes great decisions with the puck, and brings some offence” said Broncos Head Coach and Director of Player Personnel Dean Brockman.
“He’s a 2002 that fits into our mold, he’s a right handed shot who’s projected to go in next year’s NHL draft. He’s got all the checkmarks we needed. The biggest thing is he wants to be here” added Brockman.
With forward Joona Kiviniemi returning for a sophomore season in Swift Current, the Broncos only used 1 selection in the CHL European Draft.
Kasper Puutio’s Elite Prospects stats here.
